Jill Purce

Last updated

Jill Purce
Jill Purce.jpeg
Purce in 2005
Born1947
Staffordshire, England
NationalityBritish
Occupations
  • Voice teacher
  • therapist
  • author
Spouse Rupert Sheldrake
Children2, including Cosmo Sheldrake
Website jillpurce.com

Jill Purce (born 1947) is a British voice teacher, Family Constellations therapist, and author. In the 1970s, Purce developed a new way of working with the voice, introducing the teaching of group overtone chanting, producing a single note whilst amplifying vocal harmonics. [1] [2] [3] [4] [5] She is a former fellow of King's College London, Biophysics Department. [6] She produced over 30 books as general editor of the Thames and Hudson Art and Imagination series. [7] Between 1971 and 1974, she worked in Germany with the composer Karlheinz Stockhausen. [8] [9] [10] [11] Since the early 1970s, she has taught diverse forms of contemplative chant, especially overtone chanting. For over 15 years, she has been leading Family Constellations combined with chant. [12] [13]

Contents

Purce is the author of The Mystic Spiral: Journey of the Soul, a book about the spiral in sacred traditions, art, and psychology.

Background

Purce was born in Staffordshire, England. Educated at Headington School, Oxford, she graduated with a BA in Fine Art from the University of Reading (1970) and Master's degrees from the Chelsea College of Art, London (1970–71), and King's College London. [6]

In a BBC documentary about her, More Ways than One: The Mystic Spiral, Purce described how, through contemplating the patterns in water, she noticed that when flow encounters resistance, first it rotates, then these rotary patterns become individual eddies which separate out as independent forms. [14] This observation of the form-creating principle of flow, resistance, and rotation, became the basis of her research from 1968 until 1974, on the form of the spiral and the theme of the labyrinth in nature, science, art, psychology, and sacred traditions. [9] [15] [16] [17] [18]

Purce was awarded a Leverhulme Research Fellowship at King's College London, Biophysics Department, to explore the spiral as a universal structure. [6] Here, she initiated a dialogue between science and spirituality with Maurice Wilkins (Nobel laureate with Watson and Crick for the discovery of DNA), and lectured to the British Society for Social Responsibility in Science. [19] Between 1974 and 1976, she lectured at the Architectural Association School of Architecture and Chelsea College of Art and Design and was a visiting lecturer at numerous universities and art schools, on art and sacred traditions; form and the spiral; and the tradition of music, sound, and the voice as a contemplative practice in diverse cultures.

Her work with the voice was a major impetus behind widespread research into the supposed healing effects of sound from the 1970s onwards. [2] [3] [20] [21] [22] [23] [24]

Cymatics

Purce investigated the effect of sound on matter in the late 1960s, following the work of Hans Jenny, who used fine powders, liquids, and pastes, to show how formless matter takes on diverse forms and complex patterns through sound vibration. Purce also investigated the effect of sound vibrations on fine particles and on water, inspired by the early experiments of Ernst Chladni in 1785 and Margaret Watts Hughes between 1885 and 1904. [25] [26] [27]

Purce and Stockhausen

Between June 1971 and 1974, Purce lived in Kürten, Germany, and worked with the composer Karlheinz Stockhausen. [8] [9] [10] [28] Stockhausen had just introduced a simple form of overtone chanting using vowels to the West for the first time with the premiere of Stimmung in December 1968. During the autumn of 1971, Purce toured with Stockhausen and the performances of Stimmung throughout the eastern United States and Canada. She provided him with many ideas about sounds and their effects on matter, which he used to create Alphabet für Liège , a piece demonstrating those effects (1972). [11] Purce took part in performances of Stockhausen's music at various music festivals (Liège, Rencontres Internationales d'Art Contemporain—La Rochelle, and Sainte-Baume—1972, 1973, 1974). [29]

Working with the voice

Researching the supposed beneficial properties of the voice since 1968 and having spent time with the Gyutö monks before going to Germany in 1971, Purce later continued her studies in the Himalayas with the chantmaster of the Gyutö Tibetan Monastery, Tenpa Gyaltsen, and with the Mongolian Khöömii master, Yavgaan, in order to explore the Tibetan and Mongolian methods of overtone chanting. [30]

Purce's research, lectures, and workshops, have attempted to demonstrate how the human voice might be used to bring about positive psychological, emotional, and physical changes through acting as a link between body and mind, as described in Buddhist and other Eastern traditions. [31] [32] [33]

Purce has also been invited by several hospitals and schools to explore how these voice techniques might be of positive help to women in childbirth; at the Maudsley Hospital in London, with people suffering from Alzheimer's; at the Royal Free Hospital, London, with people suffering from mental disabilities; at Hawthorn School, with children suffering from physical disabilities; and with people suffering from Chronic fatigue syndrome. [6] [34] [35] [36] [37]

In June 1993, Purce gave a lecture and seminar for the English National Opera titled The Healing Power of Opera, as part of the Covent Garden Music Festival, London. She later led the audience in a chanting meditation before the first performance of Jonathan Harvey's opera Inquest of Love for ENO.

In 2003, she was invited to work with nuns and monks in a number of enclosed Christian monastic communities who sing Gregorian chant, particularly Burnham Abbey and Fairacres, Oxford, to teach overtone chanting and other methods to explore ways of reinvigorating and rediscovering the contemplative aspects of chant in Christian traditions. [38]

Family Constellations

In 1999, as part of the international conference on Family Constellations, and the work of family therapist Bert Hellinger in Wiesloch, Germany, Purce was invited to give an extended workshop to demonstrate her work to Hellinger's students and conference delegates. Influenced by her time in Japan in the early 1980s, where there is a strong tradition of honouring ancestors, [39] Purce developed a process for doing this in her own work, using ceremony and chant to acknowledge excluded family members, both living and dead. [12] [13]

Personal life

Jill Purce is married to author and former biochemist [40] Rupert Sheldrake. [41] They have two sons, biologist Merlin Sheldrake and musician Cosmo Sheldrake.

Selected works

Book
CDs
Film

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Overtone</span> Tone with a frequency higher than the frequency of the reference tone

An overtone is any resonant frequency above the fundamental frequency of a sound. In other words, overtones are all pitches higher than the lowest pitch within an individual sound; the fundamental is the lowest pitch. While the fundamental is usually heard most prominently, overtones are actually present in any pitch except a true sine wave. The relative volume or amplitude of various overtone partials is one of the key identifying features of timbre, or the individual characteristic of a sound.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Overtone singing</span> Style of singing multiple notes at once

Overtone singing, also known as overtone chanting, harmonic singing, polyphonic overtone singing, or diphonic singing, is a set of singing techniques in which the vocalist manipulates the resonances of the vocal tract to arouse the perception of additional separate notes beyond the fundamental frequency that is being produced.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">David Hykes</span> American composer, singer, musician, author and meditation teacher

David Hykes is a composer, singer, musician, author, and meditation teacher. He was one of the earliest modern western pioneers of overtone singing, and since 1975 has developed a comprehensive approach to contemplative music which he calls Harmonic Chant. After early research and trips studying Mongolian, Tibetan, and Middle Eastern singing forms, Hykes began a long series of collaborations with traditions and teachers of wisdom and sacred art, including the Dalai Lama and the Gyuto and Gyume monks.

<i>Gesang der Jünglinge</i> Electronic music work by Karlheinz Stockhausen

Gesang der Jünglinge is an electronic music work by Karlheinz Stockhausen. It was realized in 1955–56 at the Westdeutscher Rundfunk studio in Cologne and is Work Number 8 in the composer's catalog. The vocal parts were supplied by 12-year-old Josef Protschka. It is exactly 13 minutes, 14 seconds long.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cymatics</span> Creation of visible patterns on a vibrated plate

Cymatics is a subset of modal vibrational phenomena. The term was coined by Swiss physician Hans Jenny (1904–1972). Typically the surface of a plate, diaphragm, or membrane is vibrated, and regions of maximum and minimum displacement are made visible in a thin coating of particles, paste, or liquid. Different patterns emerge in the excitatory medium depending on the geometry of the plate and the driving frequency.

<i>Stimmung</i> 1968 music piece by Karlheinz Stockhausen

Stimmung, for six vocalists and six microphones, is a piece by Karlheinz Stockhausen, written in 1968 and commissioned by the City of Cologne for the Collegium Vocale Köln. Its average length is seventy-four minutes, and it bears the work number 24 in the composer's catalog.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tuvan throat singing</span> Style of overtone singing

Mongol-Tuvan throat singing, the main technique of which is known as khoomei, is a style of singing practiced by people in Tuva and Mongolia. It is noted for including overtone singing. In 2009, it was included in the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity of UNESCO. The term hömey / kömey means throat and larynx in different Turkic languages. That could be borrowed from Mongolian khooloi, which means throat as well, driven from Proto-Mongolian word *koɣul-aj.

<i>Mikrophonie</i> (Stockhausen)

Mikrophonie is the title given by Karlheinz Stockhausen to two of his compositions, written in 1964 and 1965, in which "normally inaudible vibrations ... are made audible by an active process of sound detection ; the microphone is used actively as a musical instrument, in contrast to its former passive function of reproducing sounds as faithfully as possible".

Vocalists are capable of producing a variety of extended technique sounds. These alternative singing techniques have been used extensively in the 20th century, especially in art song and opera. Particularly famous examples of extended vocal technique can be found in the music of Luciano Berio, John Cage, George Crumb, Peter Maxwell Davies, Hans Werner Henze, György Ligeti, Demetrio Stratos, Meredith Monk, Giacinto Scelsi, Arnold Schoenberg, Salvatore Sciarrino, Karlheinz Stockhausen, Tim Foust, Avi Kaplan, and Trevor Wishart.

<i>Freitag aus Licht</i> Opera by Karlheinz Stockhausen

Freitag aus Licht, the main body of which is also titled Freitag-Versuchung, is the fifth to be composed of the seven operas that comprise Licht (Light), by Karlheinz Stockhausen. It was the last of the operas to receive a staged production with the composer's involvement.

<i>Alphabet für Liège</i>

Alphabet für Liège, for soloists and duos, is a composition by Karlheinz Stockhausen, and is Work Number 36 in the composer's catalog of works. A performance of it lasts four hours.

<i>Jubiläum</i> Orchestral composition by Karlheinz Stockhausen

Jubiläum (Jubilee) is an orchestral composition by Karlheinz Stockhausen, work-number 45 in the composer's catalogue of works.

Michael Vetter was a German composer, novelist, poet, performer, calligrapher, artist, and teacher.

<i>Spiral</i> (Stockhausen)

Spiral, for a soloist with a shortwave receiver, is a composition by Karlheinz Stockhausen, written in 1968. It is Number 27 in the catalogue of the composer's works.

<i>Pole</i> (Stockhausen)

Pole (Poles), for two performers with shortwave radio receivers and a sound projectionist, is a composition by Karlheinz Stockhausen, written in 1970. It is Number 30 in the catalogue of the composer's works.

<i>Expo</i> (Stockhausen)

Expo, for three performers with shortwave radio receivers and a sound projectionist, is a composition by Karlheinz Stockhausen, written in 1969–70. It is Number 31 in the catalogue of the composer's works.

<i>Sternklang</i>

Sternklang, is "park music for five groups" composed in 1971 by Karlheinz Stockhausen, and bears the work number 34 in his catalogue of compositions. The score is dedicated to his spouse, Mary Bauermeister, and a performance of the work lasts from two-and-a-half to three hours.

<i>Für kommende Zeiten</i>

Für kommende Zeiten is a collection of seventeen text compositions by Karlheinz Stockhausen, composed between August 1968 and July 1970. It is a successor to the similar collection titled Aus den sieben Tagen, written in 1968. These compositions are characterized as "Intuitive music"—music produced primarily from the intuition rather than the intellect of the performer(s). It is work number 33 in Stockhausen's catalog of works, and the collection is dedicated to the composer's son Markus.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Megan Watts Hughes</span> Welsh singer and scientist (1842–1907)

For the Welsh retired track and road racing cyclist, see Megan Hughes.

<i>Entangled Life</i> 2020 non-fiction book by Merlin Sheldrake

Entangled Life: How fungi make our worlds, change our minds and shape our futures is a 2020 non-fiction book on mycology by British biologist Merlin Sheldrake. His first book, it was published by Random House on 12 May 2020.

References

  1. ↑ "Documentary film on origins of overtone chanting 'Space–Sound–Voice—A quest for the Origin of Harmonics' or 'Raum–Klang–Stimme—Auf Der Such Nach dem Ursprung der Obertöne'. A documentary in English and German by Minghao Xu and others 2009, published by Traumzeit Verlag". Archived from the original on 27 March 2013. Retrieved 26 March 2013.
  2. 1 2 Tongeren, Mark C. van (2006). Overtone Singing: Physics and Metaphysics of Harmonics in East and West. Centraal Boekhuis. p. 174.
  3. 1 2 Godwin, J. (1991). The Mystery of the Seven Vowels. Phanes Press, US, see quote on p. 55.
  4. ↑ Dhingra, D. (1994). "Heavenly Overtones". The Independent (12 May 1994).
  5. ↑ Jenkins, L. (1993), "A Bubbling Pot", Classical Music (July): p. 25. (The Composer George Benjamin Is Interviewed about His Experience Learning Overtones with Purce).
  6. 1 2 3 4 Entry on 'Jill Purce' in Gale Encyclopedia 2001
  7. ↑ Thames & Hudson webpage for Art & Imagination series Archived 9 November 2016 at the Wayback Machine
  8. 1 2 Stockhausen, Karlheinz (1978). Texte zur Musik (1970–1977). Vol. 4. Cologne: DuMont Buchverlag. pp. 200–201.
  9. 1 2 3 Kurtz, Michael (1992). Stockhausen: A Biography. Translated by Richard Toop. London: Faber and Faber. p. 189.
  10. 1 2 Stockhausen, K. (translated and selected by Tim Nevill). (1989). Towards a Cosmic Music. pp. 15–18.
  11. 1 2 Kurtz 1992 , pp. 192–93
  12. 1 2 Troughton, M. (2008). "Tried & Tested—Healing the Family Workshop". Psychologies , p. 37.
  13. 1 2 Mackay, N. (2009). The Science of Family: Working with Ancestral Patterns. O Books, ix.
  14. ↑ BBC Documentary: More Ways than One, from 0'55" on YouTube
  15. ↑ Cott, J. (1973). Stockhausen: Conversations with the Composer. New York: Simon & Schuster. p. 175.
  16. ↑ Barrière, G. (1975). La Spirale Nature et Mysticisme. Connaissance des arts. p. 46
  17. ↑ Joan, E. (2008). Entry for 'Labryrinths, Spirals, and Meanders', in Re-Genesis Encyclopedia.
  18. ↑ Fordham, M. (1978). Jungian Psychotherapy: A Study in Analytical Psychology. John Wiley & Sons. p. 42.
  19. ↑ BBC Documentary: More Ways than One, see 16'21" on YouTube
  20. ↑ The International Sound Healing Conference, Santa Fe, New Mexico, USA, 2008.
  21. ↑ Shapiro, E. & Shapiro, D. (1998). Voices from the Heart: Inspiration for a Compassionate Future, Random House. pp. 196–202.
  22. ↑ Metzner, R. (ed.). Re-Vision, Journal of Consciousness and Change, Special Issue: The Resonating Universe, vol. 10, no. 1, Summer 1987.
  23. ↑ 'Sound and Healing' with Jeffrey Mishlove on YouTube.
  24. ↑ 'Sound, Pattern, and Transformation' with Jeffrey Mishlove on YouTube.
  25. ↑ Film by Joseph A. Huber: 'Sound Fixes Pattern'—showing pattern-creating effect of overtone chanting on formless matter, demonstrating the work of Jill Purce. 1995 & 2001 on YouTube.
  26. ↑ Film by Jeff Volk, "Of Sound Mind and Body: Music and Vibrational Healing" on YouTube.
  27. ↑ Griggs, B. (December 1992). Soul Music: Striking a healthy note. Country Living.[ full citation needed ]
  28. ↑ Interview with Karlheinz Stockhausen, Sound International Magazine, October 1978.
  29. ↑ Stockhausen 1978, pp. 200–201.
  30. ↑ "Documentary film on origins of overtone chanting 'Space-Sound-Voice—A quest for the Origin of Harmonics' and others 2009, published by Traumzeit Verlag (see above reference for more details)". Archived from the original on 27 March 2013. Retrieved 26 March 2013.
  31. ↑ Polly Samson. "Getting Those Good Vibrations". The Observer. 7 May 1989.
  32. ↑ Alan Franks. "The Enchantress.} The Times . 14 December 1996.
  33. ↑ Anon. (1995). Le Livre de l'essential: Plus de 1000 idées pour vivre autrement. Guides Clés (in French). Éditions Albin Michel. pp. 73–74. ISBN   978-2226079947.
  34. ↑ Lind-Kyle, P. (1992). When Sleeping Beauty Wakes Up: A Woman's Tale of Healing the Immune System and Awakening the Feminine. Portland, Oregon: Swan, Raven & Company. pp. 216–223.
  35. ↑ Robinson, J. (ed.) (1996). The Alternative & Complementary Health Compendium. Bognor Regis, UK: Millenium Profiles. pp. 183–184.
  36. ↑ Tongeren 2006, pp. 212–214.
  37. ↑ Campbell (ed.), 1991, 'Music Physician: For Times To Come', pp. 240–242.
  38. ↑ Tongeren 2006, pp. 209–210, 229.
  39. ↑ "Pye. (2007). "Japanese Ancestor Veneration in Comparative Perspective". Dharma World". Archived from the original on 3 February 2014. Retrieved 17 April 2013.
  40. ↑ Whitfield, J. (22 January 2004). "Telepathic charm seduces audience at paranormal debate". Nature. 427 (6972): 277. Bibcode:2004Natur.427..277W. doi: 10.1038/427277b . PMID   14737136.
  41. ↑ Rupert Sheldrake's website
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.